Ecotourism and economic sustainable development of local communities from the lens of technological innovation: the synergistic role of green industry and social capital

Based on provincial panel data from China spanning 2012 to 2022, this study employs the propensity score matching method to effectively address potential endogeneity concerns. A two-way fixed effects model is further applied to systematically examine the impact mechanism of ecotourism on the economic sustainable development of local communities. The empirical results reveal that ecotourism not only directly contributes to enhancing community sustainability but also exerts a significant mediating effect through the stimulation of technological innovation. Further analysis indicates that the development of green industrial systems and the accumulation of social capital can effectively strengthen the positive impact of ecotourism. Notably, this promotive effect varies across regions, with more pronounced outcomes observed in areas characterized by stronger digital infrastructure, more stable ecological environments, and higher levels of human capital.